Giovanna Kolofer Named Team MVP; Grisler, Wissinger and Jones Also Honored by University of Delaware Softball Team

Courtesy: Delaware Athletics
Release: 05/19/2014

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NEWARK, Del. -- Blue Hen freshman third baseman Giovanna Kolofer was named team Most Valuable Player as the University of Delaware softball squad handed out its team awards last week.

In addition to Kolofer, junior rightfielder Jessica Grisler was named Offensive Player of the Year, freshman catcher Danielle Wissinger was selected Defensive Player of the Year, and sophomore leftfielder Shelby Jones earned the Blue Hen Award.

Kolofer (Salinas, Calif./Notre Dame HS) appeared in 38 games while starting 35, all but two at third base, during her first season in Newark. She led the Blue Hens and ranked seventh in the league with a .340 batting average, while her four triples tied for second in the CAA. Kolofer also was second on UD with 22 RBI while finishing third on the squad with 35 hits, 16 runs scored and 10 stolen bases.

Kolofer tied the school single game record by scoring four runs against UMES on Apr. 2, and finished with six hits and six RBI during a doubleheader sweep at Rider two weeks later. She recorded an eight-game hitting streak, the longest by a Blue Hen on the season, from Mar. 16 through Apr. 2, culminating with 10 hits during the final four games of the streak. Kolofer was named second team All-CAA and was selected to the CAA All-Rookie Team following her outstanding campaign.

Grisler (Sacramento, Calif./Foothill) was selected the Blue Hens’ Offensive MVP for the third straight year after leading the team with 51 hits, 31 runs scored, nine doubles, 24 RBI and 21 walks. She started in rightfield and batted leadoff during all 48 games during the season. Grisler had five three-hit games and six multi-RBI contests during the season, which both led the squad.

Grisler has a .333 batting average through her first three seasons at UD, which would be the fifth highest in school history. Her 173 career hits rank sixth in Blue Hen history, while she needs 33 more to break the school record. Additionally, Grisler ranks fifth at Delaware with 95 runs scored and tied for sixth with 28 doubles.

Wissinger (Hagerstown, Md./North Hagerstown) started every game and played every inning behind the plate during her first year at Delaware. Wissinger threw out 16 runners attempting to steal on the season while anchoring the Blue Hen defense. She also tied for fourth on the team with 31 hits, batting .252 with eight runs scored, six doubles and nine RBI.

For the second consecutive season Jones (Lake Forest, Calif./El Toro) earned the Blue Hen Award, which honors strong work ethic, coachability and a positive attitude. Jones started every game in leftfield as a sophomore, batting .210 with 26 hits and 16 runs scored. She hit a grand slam and an inside the park homer during both ends of a doubleheader sweep of UMES, and also blasted a longball during a win at Towson. Jones’ seven career home runs already are tied for 11th place in school history.